New & Next

Architect and photographer Fernando Guerra built the first known drone for architectural photography in 2010. He purchased an inexpensive drone and outfitted it with a high-definition camera and extra engines to take pictures of buildings from above. This early drone had a two-minute capacity, quickly changing the future of architectural design. Drones allow a new look and perspective into spaces with numerous angles and images. Drones are also called “UAVs”, short for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

Exciting opportunities are on the horizon for architects. Drones are now being used within architecture and construction industries. Among many uses, drones are being used for surveying building sites, as transport vehicles, and as marketing tools.

Costs can be reduced when using drones to make typographic surveys

There is no longer a need to hire a land surveyor

Environmental changes below ground can be watched and evaluated

In 2012, polystyrene bricks were transported at a construction site in France

Laws on drone usage vary around the world. Regulations regarding flying in the dark, out of the operator’s sight, above certain altitudes, and near other structures or people are common limitations and concerns. Some countries require training programs, but these are in early phases of development.

What form will drones take in coming years? City development and dwellings could look space age with multiple layers of aircraft buzzing through the skies. Talk of lower level human transport, mid-level package delivery, and higher altitude commercial aircraft sounds complicated and exciting. Hopefully, emergent help for undeveloped areas and countries like Africa will arrive soon with unlimited opportunity for human mercy.

“Laws regarding drone use are neither simple nor easy. Being held to high standards of responsibility and integrity are required for the right to use drones.” – Katherin Frankovic, KDE Photography

Do you ever wonder where architects and designers get their inspiration, continuing education, and knowledge on whats’s “New and Next”?

Every June for the past 49 years, over 50,000 design professionals have gathered in Chicago to attend one of the largest trade shows in the design industry. This year NeoCon was held at the iconic Merchandise Mart building. Neocon mainly targets commercial design but there is plenty of information and inspiration for architects and designers in the residential industry too.

During the three-day event, new products are launched including wall coverings, tile, plumbing fixtures, floor coverings, lighting, furniture, textiles, and outdoor products. This is also a good time to learn about advancements in technology that can make our clients’ lives easier.

Home office products focusing heavily on healthy living continue to advance are are well represented at NeoCon including exercise equipment such as the Fit Desk and Wurf boards.

Blinds: Metal, Vertical, Wood

Décor: Cornice, Valance

Drapery: Fabric, Metal, Sheers

Shades: Cellular, Pleated, Roller, Roman, Solar, Woven

Window treatments come and go along with other fashions. Like today’s clothing, there are many “in” styles. This spring’s issue of Blueprint 4.2, window trends were discussed. What’s new and notable are the clean lines of modern treatments, especially in the new track systems, the beautiful and unusual materials available like aluminum, acrylic rods, metal fabrics, and the beautiful sheer but private coverings.

Searching for those favorite family recipes just got easier. GE recently launched the Appliance Kitchen Hub as its answer to a Smart Home ventilation system. The system features an LED lit, four speed adjustable 600 CFM vent system with an air curtain to protect the screen and cameras. Located above the stove or cooktop, this 27” smart screen can access grandma, her recipes, and many other exciting features.

GE Appliance Kitchen Hub

•Over 5,000 recipes on “Flavorly” app and family favorites

•Cooking techniques and helpful hints

•Voice control to proceed to next step in recipe, check calendar, respond to texts, and more

“Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” asks Snow White’s evil stepmother. Today, we can have our own magic mirror.

Kohler is proud to announce a new addition to their Smart Home product line! The Verdera voice lighted mirror is first on the market with Smart Home features. This new mirror adds excitement and pizzazz to mundane bathroom chores.

Smart: set up, control, and personalize on Kohler Konnect app

Ask Amazon Alexa: adjust lighting, play music, hear the news, get traffic updates, state weather, tell a joke, add items to shopping list,and control other smart home devices

Schluter, a growing trend modernizing today’s tile work, is a smart alternative to bullnose or pencil finishes. These stylish 8’-2” strips can be cut to any length and come in different materials, finishes/textures, and colors including metals, colored metals, and PVC.

Created for both indoor and outdoor applications, they are being used in bathrooms, shower niches, floors, stairs, kitchens, fireplaces, balconies/terraces, and any place tile is being laid. In addition to this updated look to finishing tile edges, there are chic decorative strips, wall baseboards, threshold transitions, and special applications for edging and outside wall corners. Accessories include corners and end caps.

Werner Schluter, a master tile installer, opened his business in 1975. Today, Schluter is known for its decorator-look tiling finishes, as well as heated flooring, shower and exterior systems, waterproof membranes, and building panels. Schluter profiles give tile jobs a striking, polished, and sophisticated look.